Dear Laurel Park Families,
We are just one month away from the first day of school for our Track 1 and Track 3 students! This time of year always moves quickly as we wrap up one school year while preparing for the next. Be sure to review the 2026-27 school information section of the Penguin Press, which includes links to Kindergarten information, school supply lists, YMCA registration, and reminders about class lists and Meet the Teacher.

On Friday, we celebrated the upcoming retirement of three dedicated Laurel Park staff members: Susie Grace (3rd Grade Teacher), Crystal Killen (CCR Teacher), and Michelle Smith (Kindergarten Instructional Assistant). We are incredibly grateful for the time, talent, energy, and care they have poured into our school community over the years. Their impact on students, families, and colleagues will be felt for years to come. We wish them all the best as they begin this exciting new chapter and enjoy their well-earned retirement!

Respectfully, 
Charelle Lovett, Principal
LPES Family Handbook
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Upcoming Events / Important Dates (Community Calendar)

• June 9: Deadline to order 26-27 school supplies through Sprout (school code LPES001)
• June 13: Rising Kindergarten Playdate, 10-11:30 am, LPES playground
• June 15-17: Tracks 3 & 4 EOGs (3rd-5th grades)
• June 19: Holiday / Teacher Workday / No School
• June 26: Tr. 3 & 4 5th-grade Moving Up Ceremony @ 11 am (Doors open at 10:30 am); Tr. 3 & 4 Report Cards go home; Tr. 3 & 4 Last Day of School
• June 30-July 2: Teacher Workdays
• July 3: Holiday / Building Closed
• July 6: Tr. 1 & 3 Meet the Teacher / Supply Drop Off, 2-3:30 pm (floating event)
• July 7: Tr. 1 & 3 First Day of School!
• July 7-10: Kindergarten Staggered Entry (child attends one day from 9:30 am to 3 pm)
• July 13: Tr. 1 & 3 Kindergarten Meet the Teacher / Supply Drop Off, 11 am - 12 pm
• July 14: Tr. 1 & 3 Kindergarten First Full Day of School

 

Missed the June 5th Safety Patrol Team Deadline?

Rising 4th- and 5th-graders were asked to apply to the 26-27 Safety Patrol Team by Friday, June 5th. Missed applying? Contact Sara Viola (sviola@wcpss.net) and Laura Benner (lbenner@wcpss.net) as soon as possible. They are reviewing applications and creating patrol schedules.

Tr. 3 & 4 EOG Testing is June 15-17

Our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders will engage in End-of-Grade (EOG) testing next week, beginning at 9:30 am. Our students will take the reading EOG on Monday, the math EOG on Tuesday, and the 5th-grade students will take the science EOG on Wednesday. If students missed taking the EOG during the initial test, they will participate in make-up testing beginning on June 18 and resume the last week of school. 

If you opted for your child to participate in a retest due to receiving a non-proficient score, retesting will occur the week of June 22. 

Tr. 3. & 4 5th-grade Moving Up Ceremony is June 26

Our Tr. 3 & 4 5th-grade moving up ceremony is quickly approaching! We will celebrate our 5th-graders on Friday, June 26, at 11 am. Cafeteria doors in the courtyard open at 10:30 am. For families who want their younger LPES child(ren) to attend, go to the Front Entrance to check out your child from their classroom. The receptionist will have your younger child(ren) meet you in the cafeteria/gym for the ceremony. 

We are still seeking volunteers to help with setting up, serving cupcakes, and cleaning up after the ceremony. If you are available, please sign up here.

Laurel Park Monthly Character Strength

In June, we will focus on Optimism: You believe good things can happen.

Ways to Support our Families & Community

We continue to add non-perishable food items to our Lucky's Community Pantry near the school's front entrance. Have items to donate? Please bring them to the front office or place them in the pantry.

Purposity is a new platform for WCPSS that allows our school team to share the real, immediate needs of students and families in our community. Families and staff can scroll through a list of posted needs, choose one they feel connected to, and meet it in just a few clicks. 

Friendly Family Reminders

• Smartwatches and Cell Phones: The only electronic device students should bring to school is the district-issued Chromebook. Personal technology (e.g., smartwatches, cell phones) should be turned off during school hours. Parents can call the front office to relay a message to their child.
• Grades 3-5 Chromebooks: Students are expected to bring their charged Chromebooks to school daily. These are not only used for classwork but also for district and statewide testing that occurs throughout the school year.
• Extra Clothing: We ask all students to have an extra set of clothes at school in case something happens. (We have limited clothes and undergarments in the office.) Please check to ensure the school set is weather-appropriate and still fits.
• Become a WCPSS-approved Volunteer (must be completed annually)
• Arriving Late / Leaving Early: Students who arrive at school after 9:15 AM must be signed in by the parent/guardian via the QR code on the front door. Early check-out ends at 3:15 pm. 

2026-27 Laurel Park Information

July 1st marks the start of the 2026-27 school year, and it is just around the corner! Families in grades 1-5 will receive their child's teacher assignment on Tuesday, June 30. Once teachers are assigned, no class change will be made. Kindergarten families will receive their teacher assignment after staggered entry. See the information below to assist you with preparing for the next school year.

Rising Kindergarten Orientation Slides

Please review the Kindergarten Orientation Slides if you missed joining us on May 27. Slides include general information about Laurel Park and staggered entry. Reach out to the school if you still have questions. 

Buy School Supplies through Sprout by June 9

Our PTA partners with Sprout School Supplies to make school supply buying easier for families. Instead of purchasing individual supplies, families can purchase a supply kit specific to their child's grade level that is shipped directly to the school in time for the start of the school year. To order, go to sproutsupplies.com and enter the school code LPES001. Order by June 9!

Rising Kindergarten Playdate is June 13

Our rising kindergarten families are invited to meet each other for a playdate! Swing by Laurel Park's playground on Saturday, June 13, from 10 am to 11:30 am, while kids play and adults talk and possibly schedule some other meet-ups. 

School Supply Lists

Check out the school lists on our website for grades K-5, including students in ECS. Any family needing support with purchasing school supplies, please contact our social worker, Tessa Barrans, at tbarrans@wcpss.net. 

Register with the Taylor Family YMCA for Before- & After-school Care

Laurel Park partners with the Taylor Family YMCA for before- and/or afterschool care. Families register directly with the YMCA to create a schedule specific to the family. Doors open at 7 am, and student dismiss directly from the cafeteria to their classrooms at 8:45 am. In the afternoons, students are released from their classrooms at 3:45 pm to go to the cafeteria if they participate in after-school care with the YMCA.

Meet the Teacher / Supply Drop Off

Students in Grades 1-5 will meet their teacher and drop off their school supplies on Monday, July 6th (Tracks 1 & 3), 2:00-3:30 pm, and Wednesday, July 29th (Track 4), 4:30-5:15 pm. Kindergartners will attend school one day during the first week of school, and attend a Meet the Teacher on July 13th (Tracks 1 & 3) or August 5th (Track 4), 11:00 am-12 pm. 

The 26-27 Garden Club has openings!

The Garden Club is seeking new students to join them next school year. Interested in your child participating in the monthly meetings? Contact club coordinators at lpesgardenclub@gmail.com.

Laurel Park PTA Information (lpespta.org)

Join the PTA

Laurel Park has an active PTA that serves as our primary parent-teacher organization. Advocating for public schools and sound instruction is the PTA's priority in supporting the school with clubs, coordinating school events, beautification, playground enhancements, teacher planning days, and instructional resources. PTA members will receive a 10% discount on all spirit wear opportunities.

PTA Seeking Volunteers

The LPES PTA has a vibrant community of volunteers, but they need your help! There is a place for everyone -- whether you have a few hours a month or the capacity to take on a larger project. Click the link to learn more about available micro and mini volunteer roles that are available. The PTA wants to continue to offer fun events for families, and they cannot do that without volunteer support!

Spirit Rock Rentals are Open for 2026-27

Celebrate your favorite Penguin with a personalized Spirit Rock message. Whether it's a birthday, sporting event, achievement, teacher appreciation, or any special occasion, the Spirit Rock is a fun way to share your excitement with the school community. Reserve your date today and learn more at lpespta.org/spirit-rock!